After picking up their first win of the season on Friday night, the Los Angeles Kings hope to create a bit of momentum as they close out their homestand on Sunday when they play host to the 2-2-0 Colorado Avalanche in the first of three meetings this season.

Last season, the Kings won all three of their meetings against the Avs with Jeff Carter leading the way with three goals and five assists. Marian Gaborik and Kyle Clifford also found success against the Avs last season as each registered a pair of goals. Meanwhile, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog registered three points against the Kings last season.

After Reto Berra recorded a 35-save shutout in Anaheim on Friday, it is likely that the Avalanche will go back to their number-one netminder, Semyon Varlamov, on Sunday. The Avs will also have to make due without defenseman Tyson Barrie, who has been suspended for three games after a hit on Anaheim’s Simon Despres on Friday.

Speaking of Friday, the Kings ended their power-play drought on Friday as they finally scored a goal on the man-advantage this season. However, the Avs killed off all five penalties against them on Friday so the silver-and-black will be in tough on the power play on Sunday.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb, who blocked a shot in overtime against Minnesota on Friday, will likely be in the lineup for Los Angeles on Sunday.

About Ryan Cowley

Ryan Cowley has been writing about the Los Angeles Kings since 2009, beginning as the head writer and editor of Make Way for the Kings since its inception. Until the summer of 2015, Make Way was run by the FanvsFan Network (www.makewayforthekings.com) but has since become independent at its new address: www.makewayforthekings.net
Ryan is an NHL-accredited writer who has covered such events as the Stanley Cup Final and Stadium Series. He is also a graduate of Comedy Writing & Performance from Humber College in Toronto, Ontario.